GL2 white balance in low light at DVinfo.net

Tom Hill · October 6th, 2002, 07:21 AM

I have noticed that in very low light, typically outdoors at dusk or at night, the GL2's auto white balance causes the image to be heavily skewed towards red. To fix this, I have to do a manual white balance with a white card, then it's fine. That can be kind of tricky when I may be shooting something at a distance that is illuminated, but it is dark from where I am shooting from.

Any others experienced this?

Jeff Donald · October 6th, 2002, 10:40 AM

What you're expierencing is typical of cameras in this price range. Auto White Balance (AWB) usually covers a narrower range of color temerature light than manaul white balance. Neither color corrects over an infinite range. However, manual WB covers a wider range. AWB is one of the things that improves (range and accuracy) as you spend more money on cameras.

Jeff

Michael Rosenberger · October 6th, 2002, 10:46 AM

I have noticed (GL-1) would switch either towards red or green. Personally, I never us AWB and rule of thumb is always white balance, and white balance often.

In your situation it might not be possible, but certainly gives MUCH better results. If you are shooting in uncontrolled situations, multiple light sources can just do nasty things to AWB.

Barry Goyette · October 6th, 2002, 10:53 AM

Tom

I think Jeff's right here, the Auto WB has a more limited range, although I think this is probably at least somewhat by design as well. A camera that is too sensitive to color changes could cause some pretty freaky color shifts in your footage, say if you were pointing the camera at a green lawn, or your sweetie's red sweater. (The AWB does adjust to these things, just not as much as it potentially could).

The Auto white balance has limits on its range to typical lighting color temperatures...and dimmed incandescants at 2000 K° are most likely out of that range. The good news is that I think the gl2 does a tremendous job at manual white balancing in this near red range...better than other camera's I've used.

Barry

Tom Hill · October 6th, 2002, 04:49 PM

Yes, it does seem to do a good job at manual white balance.

Odd thing happened today when shooting some footage in Philadelphia. My GL2 LCD went blank, and them right back on. It did this 3 times during the day, twice in pause mode, and once as I pressed the record button. It's not like it shut off completely, it just "blinked."

I'm hoping it's ok. The battery is just about brand new.

October 6th, 2002, 07:21 AM	#1
Tom Hill New Boot Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Arkansas Posts: 15	GL2 white balance in low light I have noticed that in very low light, typically outdoors at dusk or at night, the GL2's auto white balance causes the image to be heavily skewed towards red. To fix this, I have to do a manual white balance with a white card, then it's fine. That can be kind of tricky when I may be shooting something at a distance that is illuminated, but it is dark from where I am shooting from. Any others experienced this?

October 6th, 2002, 10:46 AM	#3
Michael Rosenberger Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Surprise, Arizona Posts: 143	I have noticed (GL-1) would switch either towards red or green. Personally, I never us AWB and rule of thumb is always white balance, and white balance often. In your situation it might not be possible, but certainly gives MUCH better results. If you are shooting in uncontrolled situations, multiple light sources can just do nasty things to AWB. __________________ Michael Rosenberger Sure I'll shoot your wedding, for two million dollars.

October 6th, 2002, 04:49 PM	#5
Tom Hill New Boot Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Arkansas Posts: 15	GL2 turned off by itself Yes, it does seem to do a good job at manual white balance. Odd thing happened today when shooting some footage in Philadelphia. My GL2 LCD went blank, and them right back on. It did this 3 times during the day, twice in pause mode, and once as I pressed the record button. It's not like it shut off completely, it just "blinked." I'm hoping it's ok. The battery is just about brand new.

October 6th, 2002, 10:40 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	What you're expierencing is typical of cameras in this price range. Auto White Balance (AWB) usually covers a narrower range of color temerature light than manaul white balance. Neither color corrects over an infinite range. However, manual WB covers a wider range. AWB is one of the things that improves (range and accuracy) as you spend more money on cameras. Jeff

October 6th, 2002, 10:53 AM	#4
Barry Goyette Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo CA Posts: 1,195	Tom I think Jeff's right here, the Auto WB has a more limited range, although I think this is probably at least somewhat by design as well. A camera that is too sensitive to color changes could cause some pretty freaky color shifts in your footage, say if you were pointing the camera at a green lawn, or your sweetie's red sweater. (The AWB does adjust to these things, just not as much as it potentially could). The Auto white balance has limits on its range to typical lighting color temperatures...and dimmed incandescants at 2000 K° are most likely out of that range. The good news is that I think the gl2 does a tremendous job at manual white balancing in this near red range...better than other camera's I've used. Barry